When to Use the Strong Gravitational Lensing 3D Explorer - Best Sessions and Limits
Open the Strong Gravitational Lensing 3D Explorer when you want to see how alignment between a background source and a foreground lens turns one object into several images or long arcs - not to look up a specific object's exact measured mass model.
An alignment-driven pattern, not a single fixed picture
A session starts by picking the Einstein Cross case to see 4 point images around a foreground galaxy at redshift 0.0394 lensing a quasar at redshift 1.695, then switching to the Abell 2218 case to see dozens of arcs from background galaxies out to redshift about 2.5 - dragging the alignment slider on either case fades the extra images or shortens the arcs.
Sessions this explorer does not fit
Sessions this page does not fit are looking up a numerically-solved lens model for either object's exact mass distribution, or the special symmetric case where alignment is exact and the images merge into one full ring - that case is on the Einstein Ring 3D Explorer. Walk through the controls in the step-by-step guide.
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